Anyone else try eating every other day (or other forms of intermittent fasting)? I've been doing this for a few months, and it has been FANTASTIC. It's much easier than it sounds too ... I simply don't eat from 6pm one night (right after an early dinner) to 6pm the next night, then eat normally until 6pm the next, etc. So basically i skip breakfast and lunch every other day.

After the 3rd cycle (first week), I never missed those 2 skipped meals ... and felt much more awake all the time as well. There's also a ton of research that eating every other day does everything from lowering cancer / heart disease / diabetes risk to lowering inflammation (which is why I tried it) to extending life.

Why I tried it - so far I've been on all the drugs available without inducing any semblance of remission (or even decreasing symptoms), and have been experimenting for years with alternatives to having my colon removed. So far, only the following 3 things have been helpful:

Intermittent Fasting (eating every other day) - easy, works great

Fecal Transplant - a little gross, but worked for over 3 months. Haven't tried again

Ultra low-carb diet (<10g per day) - very hard to maintain, impossible to eat healthy, but worked

I've never heard of research about alternate day fasting. Where did you find it?I've never ever gone that long without food unless I had the flu, not sure I could do it.I have heard that extreme calorie reduction extends life (rat studies and studies of children born during famine) but don't think I could do that either.

If alternate fasting works for you then good going. Just don't go too far into anorexia or bulimia.It could be easy to fear food when it causes D and accidents. I love food and wait for the day that more types can come back into my daily intake.In remission April 2010 after 10 years of suffering and no remission everJan 2010 started SCD diet (modified to remove dairy, fruit & juices)Gluten-free=bleeding stopped in 3 days, 95% remission in 5.5 months on SCDat 5.5 month stage homemade yogurt, hard cheese and some fruit OK SCD Diet: Gluten/grain-free, starch-free, low carb, low-sugarSupplements: tsp. fish oil, Vit D3 5000 with oil/fat, veggie juice, sunflower seeds, VSL#3, (4) Citrucel, (1) turmeric capsule, (1) calcium Highly recommend: the book "Life without Bread" and the Specific Carbohydrate DietRx: (6) balsalazide daily, mesalamine enema occasionally

@quincy - this is not starving yourself. Many people actually GAIN weight (as I did). There have been countless studies showing the positive effects of IF, and it has been shown to be very safe (as opposed to regular multi-day fasts or caloric restriction which can be detrimental for many people, and are VERY hard to follow). I actually heard about it from friends locally who have UC and were able to get off drugs and eliminate symptoms via intermittent (every other day) fasting.

Doing a liquid food replacement would not have much of an effect though. The metabolic change of IF is what causes the positive results, not the impact of having less in your digestive tract.

And just as you can say "why in the world would I want to starve myself", I can easily say "why in the world would I want to take a whole hosts of drugs and still not be in remission?". I was spending many thousands per year in drugs, and had 0 reduction in symptoms. My doctor said I had to have my colon removed, that I would have a bag for a while, and that I *MIGHT* be able to have a pull-through done to eliminate the bag. However, my inflammation from pan-colitis extended into the end of my small intestines, and the doc said I could still have bathroom problems and possibly need to use a bag forever. Uh, no thank you.

Instead, I have found 3 things that have been VERY successful that have resulted in no symptoms, and no drugs, for over 2 years. The first two that I tried (ultra low carb diet and fecal transplant) were harder, but IF is VERY easy. I feel great, take nothing other than a multi-vitamin, and eat whatever I want. Skipping breakfast and lunch every other day is HARDLY starving myself.

Thousands of people eat every other day for health, for assistance with chemo (it improves the body's immune system and healthy cell's resistance to chemo drugs), for heart health, and other reasons. I was simply asking if others have tried it, as the benefits for me have been far greater than expected.

imagardener2 said...I've never heard of research about alternate day fasting. Where did you find it?I've never ever gone that long without food unless I had the flu, not sure I could do it.I have heard that extreme calorie reduction extends life (rat studies and studies of children born during famine) but don't think I could do that either.

If alternate fasting works for you then good going. Just don't go too far into anorexia or bulimia.It could be easy to fear food when it causes D and accidents. I love food and wait for the day that more types can come back into my daily intake.

A few of the studies are linked from the Wikipedia page of Intermittent Fasting. There are dozens of others. The basic finding is that Intermittent Fasting has all the same benefits as extreme caloric restriction, but without any of the side effects (no decrease in muscle tissue, no weight loss, no sluggishness, etc).

IF has nothing to do with anorexia or bulimia. It is not a weight loss method (it would be a HORRIBLE way to lose weight since it lowers your metabolism - as I mentioned, many people gain some weight from it). As a result of IF, I've been able to introduce all foods into my diet. For example, last night I had half of an 18" pepperoni pizza, 2 beers, cookies, chips, etc. Today I've gone to the bathroom once. A couple years ago I would have never even tried such a thing, as I would have had D a dozen times in the interim.

I love food as well, which is why this has been a god send for me. I no longer have to fear it, I just need to skip 7 out 21 meals per week, the other 14 I eat whatever I want. To me, it's worth it. As an added bonus, my blood work has showed huge improvements as well - lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar, decreased blood pressure, high RBC/Hematocrit/iron, etc.

For all I know, my form of UC might be entirely different from others ... I've tried every drug available and it never did a thing. Even 60mg of prednisone did nothing. Why spend $5000/year covering my deductible if it does nothing? That was my perspective at least.

As a side note - years ago I did try longer fasting (up to 4 days water only), juice or protein drink fasts (up to 1 week), and caloric restriction (up to 14 days). While my digestive symptoms decreased during the fast, I felt HORRIBLE. That's why I was so intrigued when I met up with a couple old friends with UC who told me they had become asymptomatic for years by intermittent fasting. While they skipped every other calendar day (so 2 nights without food - 30 hours of fasting and 18 hours of eating), it worked fine for me by following the far easier 'no eating from after dinner to dinner the next day' approach. The first couple days I had some blood sugar problems, but after that I've felt better 24x7 than when I eat every day.

Zippy123 said...Interesting, how has it impacted your colitis symptoms?

It has eliminated the symptoms. I had D ~12 times per day before trying this, which wasn't bad compared to where I was years ago, and now I go 1-3 times per day (depending on what I eat), no D, with little to no urgency. The reduction in bathroom trips is nice, but what I really like is that I have a lot more energy and generally feel better. My blood work is markedly improved as well (although it wasn't bad before - I'm pretty athletic).

note: I only tried this because drugs did almost nothing for me. Had I ever experienced drug-induced remission, I'm sure I would be just as happy to eat every day, and would think that people like me are crazy.

I think it sounds pretty interesting.Sometimes I feel so bloated from a myriad of food sensitivities, I think skpping a meal or two would make me feel better. I always feel pretty good the day after a prep, when I'm cleaned out!The hardest part of restricting food or meals for me is is dealing with social situations.49 year old female attorney, diagnosed UC/pancolitis 1985.Asacol for 20+ years with Prednisone & Rowasa for flares (But nothing since Remicade). Food sensitivity test by Naturopath showed wheat/gluten, other intolerances, helped some. Remicade started April 2009 (Humira denied) and doing great~ learning what normal is~ wow

Peety said...The hardest part of restricting food or meals for me is is dealing with social situations.

That's why I always eat dinner - it's pretty easy to just say "I'm too busy to go to lunch today" at work, but skipping dinners would be pretty hard socially. I'm not hardcore about it either ... sometimes I'll eat lunch on a non-eating day if we're at a party and just go back on the plan the next day. As long as I'm pretty close to the 24 hours eating, 24 hours fasting, I feel good.

It is kind of neat how our bodies adapt. My friends told me "sometimes you'll forget to eat", and I totally didn't believe them. Now I find myself needing to remember to eat - I'm very rarely hungry, and never get the shakes or low blood sugar in the late afternoon like before I started this. But I still throroughly enjoy my food when I eat, so it's like the best of both worlds (at least for me).

Oh, that's the other weird thing. All my food sensitivities have gone away! I used to have gas/D problems with gluten (I was gluten free for almost 5 years) and dairy, and had lots of D after consuming sugary things (particularly fruit). Now I eat it all. The other week I had a gallon of chocolate milk after a 14 mile run (another newfound freedom), and had no issues other than peeing all night.

I was anorexic in my teens and it trickled into my adult years. I slowly got better and then I got Uc. I do find that Uc wise I feel better if I skip meals however overall I just feel crappier. I have never been a big eater nor snacker and as of now I eat breakfast (toast and peanut butter), I do not eat during the day and I eat dinner with only a few or no snacks afterward. I am maintaining my weight, even gaining some actually. I find that when I skip meals, it stops the peristalsis that often occurs right after or when I am eating. But I do take vitamins to help supplement whatever it is that I am not getting. Are you on a vitamin?SHERRYModerator-Allergies/Asthma and Alzheimer's, Co-moderator-UCcurrent status: REMISSION-YAY!~Left sided Uc-'92**Unable to tolerate ALL mesalamines**Colazal(9 daily)/6mp(25mgs), Allopurinol (100mgs)/Bentyl-Prilosec~allergies-Singulair/Zyrtec~Reynauds Syndrome~OA-Tylonel Arthritis/Celebrex~Scoliosis~Sacroilitis~Dry eye-Restasis/GAD - Klonopin (.25mgs)

I take a generic multi-vitamin daily and sometimes eat fish oil if it's sitting around (my wife and kids take them). When I remember I still take psyllium powder mixed with water, but I usually forget now that I'm not having many problems (back when I had lots of D it seemed to help though).

When my colitis was REALLY bad (prior to going off drugs and using fecal transplant then diet to get things under control), I had to take lots of supplements because the drugs + UC combined threw my blood tests WAY off. At the time I took a multi-vitamin, lots of iron, vitamin b complex, vitamin d, calcium, magnesium, zinc and later on some natural supplements like boswelia and probiotics (which didn't seem to help much). There were others too, but I don't remember everything as I was really bad (in and out of the hospital for UC related issues, severe weight loss, low RBC/iron, etc).

ive heard of fasting before, i heard about on the raw food diets, I did try it and once i was so supprised i did a water fast and the next day my bleeding stopped. at that time i didnt know what was causing my illness, i dont fast really now but i may do a green juice fast it just helps rebalace my system.

Hellokitty said...ive heard of fasting before, i heard about on the raw food diets, I did try it and once i was so supprised i did a water fast and the next day my bleeding stopped. at that time i didnt know what was causing my illness, i dont fast really now but i may do a green juice fast it just helps rebalace my system.

I had a similar experience in that a water fast stopped my bleeding pretty quickly, but after a few days it came back in full force. The idea of having this benefit all the time, without any of the negative side effects of longer fasts, is what intrigued me about intermittent fasting (eating every other 24 hours) when friends mentioned their experience with it a while ago.

I've had one bout of D when I went off the diet for ~5 days a couple weeks ago, but those symptoms cleared up immediately upon going back on it. Otherwise I have been symptom free for just over 3 months, and feeling much better (which to me is more important).

I can see just not eating after supper until the next morning would even help to some extent, no snacks or anything depending on how long before you go to bed or get up the next day could end up being 14 to 17 hours of nothing to eat until breakfast. From what I understand your body heals better while resting, and having no food to digest during the night would only help. Your exersize routine may even play a part in healing.

Thanks for posting your success Lucky I hope it keeps up.

@ quincy you crack me up :P Your attitude reminds me of that Dr. House on TV.

I don't eat a lot when I am flaring. Food is the enemy as far as I am concerned. For me, it's not about healing the condition but more about managing the symptoms. I obviously can't eat a huge omelette for breakfast and then go to work when in a severe flare and sit around wondering when things will erupt. It's better to not eat all day and eat as little as possible to try to avoid symptoms. It doesn't cure anything, it just manages bathroom trips. I'd rather be hungry than stinking up toilets all over town.

I don't recommend others choose this lifestyle. I haven't been in a position where I couldn't eat all day for 6+ months but yes, not eating = less bathroom trips and the trips are shorter and less intense.

LL, I'm curious...Do you tend to overeat after missing a few meals? I know if I miss one meal...typically lunch for example..I'm starving and tend to eat way too much for dinner and feel horrible. It does sound interesting.

I eat, two main meals (because of my stupid sleep schedule) and a snack a few times a day. I'm due for my nighty-night snackie...going to have an apple, maybe even a piece of toast. Could even have a banana on that toast..just because it's not something I'd eat during the day.

I live to eat..and once again..I feel normal. Many of my social meetings are for supper, brunch, lupper..lol....

I have commented in the past that witholding food is more psychological than physical. This thread makes me skeeert!

pupluv said...LL, I'm curious...Do you tend to overeat after missing a few meals? I know if I miss one meal...typically lunch for example..I'm starving and tend to eat way too much for dinner and feel horrible. It does sound interesting.Donna

When fasting over ~18 hours, you usually can't eat a lot your first meal ... but usually I'm VERY hungry for my second meal. In general, I probably eat ~50% more during each meal than before, which might be why I gained a little weight. I just listen to my body and don't worry about what I eat.

quincy said...I have commented in the past that witholding food is more psychological than physical. This thread makes me skeeert!

Except all the studies show that fasting, caloric restriction, and intermittent fasting it IS physical, and has profound benefits (particularly intermittent fasting).

LL..Not where I'm talking about...it's purely mental control (if not initially...eventually, it will be), and bowel rest is rarely a recommendation for UC...fasting is never recommended.

Personally, it matters not to me what people eat or if they starve themselves. Fasting for UC is just one belief that is extremely flawed. There will always be a following of many looking for a way to control their UC in unhealthy ways. I see it daily.

When i was doing the juice fasting i didnt really know what i was doing or why. the bleeding went for me but like you it came back when i introduced the foods. i was doing the raw diet and eating alot of fruit. i did have some good experiences with it but the bleeding came back. what i learnt is that something was feeding in my system. when you starve it it goes away. thats what i was doing especailly with the water fasts i was stopping its feeding. I later learnt about candida. and i didnt realize its all over the internet all you have to do is google ulcerative colitis and crohns and you come up with a whole list of people who say it is caused by this. There is now centers where if you look on their pages it says MS and colitis and crohns, there is a whole lot of infor on it on the net.

what i didnt realize about this candida is that it roots into your system, alot of people have to stay on the diets for the rest of there lives as they cant get it out of their systems. thats why i had it tested, im doing a program which helps to rid it out of your system. even if this works i still will not eat crap though, i beleive alot of processes foods are the root for causing illness.

I know that food does cause up problems i never beleived my GE when he said it didnt, i meam why would he say that this illness is to do with the intestents. oh well it his opnion i do not share it